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Idea & Artist Statement

Idea

Photograph 2 people (1 man & 1 woman) in each of the 50 United States. All 100 people need to be at least 100 years old.

Approach

Travel to each state to meet centenarians. When searching show up at local newspapers, churches, restaurants, chambers of commerce, assisted living facilities, anywhere… be a people meeting machine. Spend 1 or 2 days (as many as 7 so far) with each centenarian doing day-in-the-life photography and shoot video if appropriate.

Witness

We are all vulnerable and encounter different obstacles in life depending on our background and circumstances. The centenarians I meet display varying degrees of memory loss and other physical and functional limitations. Witness a centenarian working to get up out of her chair, remembering someone’s name, or making a point in conversation. Perseverance, humor, or dismay does not highlight age as much as it reveals something specific about character. Try to include specific details when photographing these moments.

Urgency

Take note that a silver tsunami is upon us. In 2010, 35 million Americans were over 65 and by 2030, 80 million Americans will be over 65. That is an increase from 10 to 20% of the overall population. It is an imperative to decrease intergenerational estrangement and activate solutions to this extreme demographic challenge.

Know your elders better and care for them in a way that they deserve.

Result

100 resulting portraits of 100 centenarians will reveal what it is To Live 10,000 Years.